Rotorcraft Report: Turkish Attack Helicopter Flies

MILITARY/ATTACK

The ATAK team of Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI), AgustaWestland and aircraft electronics provider Aselsan have conducted the first flight of the prototype T129

AgustaWestland and Turkey’s TAI flew the T129 for the first time Sept. 28 in Vergiate.

Turkish attack helicopter. TAI and AgustaWestland pilots conducted the trial on Sept. 28 at AgustaWestland’s facility in Vergiate, Italy. The ATAK program was established with the goal of meeting 50 firm and 41 optional attack/tactical reconnaissance helicopter requirements for the Turkish Land Forces Command (TLF), including advanced avionics, hardware and software programs. Muharrem Dortkasli, general manager of Turkish Aerospace Industries, notes that the companies will also market the T129 to international customers. “It has been a long journey for us to come to this point,” he says, adding that the project is currently on schedule.